Princess Ces'alena (Webster Fields) Read online

  After a few moments she thought he might not answer. But then, she didn’t need one…his silence said it all. To her surprise, the answer came, soft and troubled. “No…no man bartered to own me.” Lena looked back at him again, at his profile. Though not appearing to be a rich man, owning only a small parcel of land, he was a strong man. His face had at once, gentleness and strength, and something else…he seemed to be a man of serious contemplation, as well as patient amusement.

  Surprising her, because it was the first time a man had listened to something she had to say, despite her father allowing her an education, other than to her tutor, any questions she might ask went unanswered, it was not her place to ask or wonder why, just know her place. This was very different… different indeed. As long as she did not fight him, he seemed to listen to her, hear her words, consider them and then, finally – answer them. Lena turned back to the last of the Indians crossing to see one that especially caught her eye. Her hair was the first thing catching Lena’s attention, because it was such a fiery red auburn the sun set it aflame.

  She was breathtakingly beautiful. Her skin slightly tanned over the smooth white of it. Her hair was braided as the others, her one pony tail thick and swinging to her hips; weaved about her head, a band of colorful beads.

  Suddenly as she crossed over the road to the other side, she stopped, turning to look at them, her eyes first going to Manny, then over to Lena. Lena felt herself jostled as the wagon once again began to move. As it moved, for some reason Lena and the young woman’s eyes locked onto each other once the wagon reached the point of their crossing. Their eyes held so, that Lena twisted in her seat, then turned her body completely to keep the contact.

  “Careful…don’t want you to fall.” Manny warned softly.

  “Who is she? She is not of them – she is different from them.” Lena asked intrigued. Then the woman smiled at her, a soft bright warm smile that warmed her heart, Lena smiled in return.

  A masculine voice called from further ahead of where she stood. “Red Dawn!” She turned to the voice making her long braid fly over her shoulder. Lena watched her closely as the wagon drove on, widening the distance between them. Suddenly the woman turned back, and impulsively waved goodbye to her. Lena sat up and cheerfully waved back, murmuring the name she heard to herself, “Red Dawn.” She smiled and waved more excitedly at her. Again, a smile from, Red Dawn…then with a turn, she sprinted off to catch up with the others. When she was out of sight, Lena then turned back.

  “Who was-…” She started asking again when Kevin rode up to Manny’s side cutting her off stating. “Damn filthy savages. I’ll be glad when we have shut of them, having to share this land with them heathens.”

  “Heathens? Were they not here first?” She asked, disapproval clear in her question, she looked from Kevin to Manny. Who was obviously amused at her bravery. Kevin’s glare at her was filled with resentment, he wasn’t liking her at all. Manny disregarded her observation, and asked Kevin instead.

  “Was that Josephine O’Brien with them?”

  “Yep! Sure is, it’s a damn shame too if you ask me. Waste of a perfectly fine white woman, gone to the dogs.”

  “She run off with the chief of that tribe. Been livin’ with’em for a while now. Her pa tried bringing her back - over and over…did no good, she run off with’em again.” He shook his head in wonder. “Imagine that, coming from the wealthiest family for miles around. She the shame of the O’Brien’s…I tell’ya, what’s this world coming to.”

  Manny held his tongue. Lena looked from him…up to Kevin…who wouldn’t waste that opportunity to cut her with his eyes. She figured if he could get away with it, he would have spit on her. The look she returned was enough to clearly say, ‘You aren’t worth the time I waste to see you.” Straightening her back, squaring her shoulders, she dismissed him like a lowly peasant. Anger shot through Kevin, biting his tongue, he rode ahead. Suddenly a chuckle sounded beside her. She glanced to the side at Manny, the same time he glanced at her. “Princess…why do I get the feeling, you’re going to be quite the handful…” He sighed, then smiled gently with soft eyes on her as if resigned. When they finally pulled up in front of Webster Fields, Lena’s gaze showed appreciation for the land, the green scenery, with tall sweeping trees and an avenue of poplars all the way up to the front lawn before the mansion. The surrounding grounds were generously populated by a variety of other trees; close to the mansion, stood massive weeping willows providing ground shade. As the wagon rounded the long square driveway to the front of the mansion, Lena noticed a few young black men on the lawns with scythe’s trimming the grass. One dropped his running up to the wagon, his eyes first on her, then to Manny. “Masta’ Manny you back…you have a good trip?” He inquired eagerly. Manny laughed out, “As well as usual.” He answered, and then reached under the seat producing the goody sack. With a laugh he asked,

  “This - what you looking for?”

  The young male smiled bashfully, “Ah masta’ you know I gotta have a sweet.” Nodding in agreement, Manny chuckled tossing it to him, “Well here it is, off with you now. Divide them fairly …remember the last time you ran off keepin’ all to yourself, you were belly achin’ for days.” However, the young man was gone, running full tilt, telling everyone of Manny’s return.

  The few that saw the sweet sack in his hand, gathered around him; small children and older ones waiting for a shared treat. Morris stood on the porch suffering this display as his son came to a stop before the mansion stairs.

  His eyes went immediately to Lena sitting on the front with Manny.

  Lena was for the moment taking in every ounce of beauty along the mansion itself. Which was surrounded with bursting colorful groups of flowers, and gladioli bushes; the scent of which filled the air. The mansion sat two levels high, built of white stone. The front porch ran the length of the house with imposing pillars of stone evenly spaced from one end to the other.

  The eight front steps made of the same stone. Either side of the large double doors ran four multi paned windows, also painted white. Above the porch the pillars helped support an extensive ornate veranda. With French doors right above the large double doors on the first level. Decking out the veranda was furniture of black wrought iron, with floral print cushions.

  Looking around, Lena barely gave Manny a thought as he picked her up from the seat, setting her on her feet. He had to chuckle, because she seemed to dismiss him as if he were a lowly servant. While he thought it funny, his father stood straight from leaning on the pillar incredulous to her, as she freely took tiny steps looking here and there. Paying little attention as Manny went through the speech on the rules for slaves at Webster Fields.

  Morris watched her as she slowly moved a bit from the others, slow and cautious…but still with more nerve than the others, as if she had some right and they were under inspection. He looked at his son to see if he was aware of the wench slowly wandering off, and grew nervous to see him speaking to the slaves, yet was caught up in amusement at her curiosity. He knew admiration when he saw it…and that’s what was shining from his son’s eyes. He cleared his throat loudly when she made it to the side of the mansion, peering down the path to the slave’s quarters and beyond. She’d heard him as well as Manny. Who glanced up at his father, then to Lena. She glanced up at Morris, again giving him the very cut she served Kevin. Manny bit his lip not to laugh out as Morris eyes rounded, shooting to him. Manny ignored him signaling to Lena, giving a certain eye gesture that she obediently returned to stand among the others.

  After saying what needed to be said to the new arrivals, the slaves that had lived on Webster Fields for some time, knew what to do. If there was a need for an extra hand anywhere, it was up to them to place that person there. Without further ado, they knew who to grab and lead where; doing so, with no needed instructions from Manny or the overseers. Noticing this, Lena went to make herself known when Manny gently took her arm and lead her up the steps to Kayleen; who with admiring e
yes, took her immediately under her wing. Kayleen was like a breath of fresh air, for the most part, always cheerful and happy. She fussed over Lena, and joked about her royal carriage, teasing with her in a way she did not at first understand. She couldn’t see that there was anything wrong with the way she walked, talked and responded.

  But Ferrus shook his head often saying, “Lord…where these women come from here!?” Meaning the black women of Webster Fields. They all had a distinct personality resulting from the life they led there. Which hadn't developed until they’d been there a while.

  Kayleen had been the only one he’d met, that had so much nerve right off the bat. No one spoke to Morris the way she sometimes did; and now, this one. Manny had informed Kayleen that she was an actual princess, from an Island and it wasn’t long before that spread about the plantation. Certainly, all those that observed her, could see it was true. Lena was informed that she would be helping Kayleen in the kitchen as a house servant and cook. Kayleen talked her ears off with what they would be doing on the morrow, and how she would be teaching her all she needed to know.

  Lena helped her serve supper the first night after taking her straight away to freshen up and change her clothing. Once that was done, she was led back to the kitchen to start learning her duties.

  To Morris’s dismay, Manny couldn’t keep his eyes from her. He had a feeling she would be trouble. He’d never experienced a Negro like her, besides Kayleen…and she tended to make his life a living hell sometimes. Even her looks stunned him; she had a certain grace, charm and carriage that spoke of a culture from an elite class. He was observing conduct that he couldn’t get his own wife, Royal Sun to display. Yet here he sat watching this new Negro slave with etiquette so polished it baffled him. Her every move was with a careful gracefulness that suggested some type of training. Her steps were light and feminine and the sway of her ample hips, enhancing a tiny waist that would stir any seeing man. She reminded him of a graceful swan. Watching her closely as she served his son, he had to sigh shaking his head, thinking, ‘Lord to my home…hell has come! Why did you lead her here Lord…why here?’

  Kayleen was chatting away as they finished cleaning the kitchen, wiping everything down; doing the night polishing as she informed Lena that she would be sharing her cabin until one was made available for her. It was then that he, Manny, entered the kitchen, and Lena knew something was amiss.

  Manny signaled Kayleen over to him, whispering something in her ear.

  A few seconds later, she gasped in shock - snatching her ear from him and looked over at Lena, who was wiping up the cook stove/fireplace. Looking back at Manny, the expression on her face was not a pleasant one. Again Manny whispered something and they both left the kitchen. Lena stood there a moment staring at the closed door, wondering what was happening. After a moment, Kayleen still hadn’t returned…so she went back to finishing up the kitchen. Since she was almost done, she wondered was she supposed to head back to Kayleen’s cabin, or was she to check with the Webster’s for anything before she retired for the night? Since she was done, she decided she should check…that’s what the servants under her father did. Funny how she should be afraid, but for some reason, this was like a new adventure and so far it was one that held new and fascinating things for her.

  As for Manny, well…he was also different. He alone intrigued her…so, taking a deep breath she walked through the doors leading to the dining room and from there to other parts of the house looking for someone to inquire of last requests. As she stepped through the comfortable colonial style mansion, she was impressed with the modest décor of it. While nothing came close to what she was used to, she found all that she saw, more to her liking. The dining room was elegantly turned out…not something she envisioned to be done by men, but by a woman arranging her home in a style that was elegant at the same time serviceable. So far, the color scheme was in royal blues, ecru, soft baby blues, with gold accents and trim. The chairs upholstery were a baby blue, ecru brocade trimmed with gold on walnut stained oak, carved in a simple colonial style square back and heavy legs, lending strength and longevity to the set of eight chairs and long table.

  Against the wall was a long server buffet, with the same chairs sitting on either side for the servants to sit and wait for indications of more being needed. Hanging on the walls, tapestries huge, ornate, extravagant, depicting various scenes to capture ones attention and imagination. The oak wood floor was bare save the clean shine that graced it. Realizing she was being side tracked she set her mind to finding the men or lady of the house to ask further instructions. On the way, down a long hall…a large portrait painting caught her eye. That is where Manny came out of the study to find her, staring up at the portrait of his mother, Royal Sun.

  “Beautiful isn’t she?” He asked stepping softly, quietly up behind her. Lena jumped aside looking up at him. “Sorry …didn’t mean to startle you.” He apologized. Lena smiled looking away from him back to the picture. “She is stunning, who is she?”

  “My mother.”

  “When will I meet her?” She asked looking away from the portrait back at him. He smiled, “I’m afraid that is as close as you will ever come, she passed a while back.” Lena’s hand went to her chest in sympathy. “My apologies, I lost my mother as well. She died giving birth to me, and my twin brother who also died. He would have ruled in my father’s place upon his death, were he to succeed in the trials. Now, the man who shall succeed to rule will come from another Island, he will wed me and thus, rule there.” She finished looking back up at him.

  “That…Princess-…” He paused reaching up to touch her hairline, stroking it gently. “…-shall never take place. You are here now and…you are mine.”

  “Manny!” Morris called from the door of the study, he’d been standing there and watching them, fear growing with his sons behavior.

  Both looked around at him just as Kayleen walked up. “Sorry I was gone so long sweetie, you can come with me now.” Lena gave a slight curtsy to Manny and turned giving the same to Morris. Then followed Kayleen back towards the kitchen. When they disappeared out of sight, Manny walked up to his father waiting in the door of the study. “Now listen to me boy. I see the way you look at that one. I think it be best all around if you was to just let her be, you hear? Leave off – samplin’ that one.” Morris requested waiting and expecting an answer. Manny stood staring at his father, but the vision of him blurred, being replaced by the vision of Lena. Once again he locked onto his father’s face, but felt the answer he’d give would be unsatisfactory. Knowing that, he gave no answer at all. Instead, he turned…and walked away.

  “Manny!? - Manny!? - do you hear what I say? You leave her be! Just leave her be Manny!” Morris stood with his heart in turmoil. This was not good. Not good at all.

  When Lena followed Kayleen into her cabin, she should have suspected what lay in waiting for her, but the sight of it brought so much pleasure, she dismissed any possible implications of what it meant. “Oh please tell me that is for me?” Lena gushed closing the cabin door behind her. Her eyes greedily set on the steaming bath in the center of the room.

  “That it is. Manny thought it would soothe you after all you gone through.” Kayleen informed her. This part stopped Lena beside the tub; she’d started stripping away the garments given to her earlier wanting to step right into the bath. Undressing in front of Kayleen didn’t bother her; she was accustomed to disrobing with others present, it was the other part that concerned her, “He asked for this?”

  Kayleen swallowed, feeling nervous…this went against her, catering to his plea but he’d promised if the girl didn’t want him…he wouldn’t force her. As much as she wanted to do what was right, there was something in her that wanted this girl for Manny. He was more like her son than anything, and something in her heart told her, they would be splendid for each other. Besides that, she loved and trusted Manny… in her heart she also knew that he would never do anything to really hurt the girl. No one could miss the
look in his eyes when he gazed at her. There was a portion of her with the belief that if Royal had been alive, she would have felt the same. Of course her thinking went against everything she knew and saw. Something in her life and the way she lived now - with the addition of the ways of life conducted within the land of Webster Fields, made one think differently. It made her brave the things the world would reject. Ignoring everything else, Kayleen wanted this… and she would do her part to see it through. “He just want you to feel at home here. This is your home now sweetie. Manny - he like a son to me.” She began.

  Standing next to Lena assisting her disrobing. Lena stood listening letting her garments fall from her. “I been knowing him since he was a baby. His mama and me, we grow up together. He may look like his daddy…but he his mama’s son. There now…ain’t that nice and warm? I even add some herbs to it to sooth you.” Kayleen continued as Lena climbed in, her eyes closed in bliss, relaxing back into the high back wooden tub. A scent of gladiola’s and a touch of sweet lilac lit the air, forcing her eyes open to see Kayleen adding fragrant oils to the bath. Lena sank deeper laying her head on the back of the tub. The whole time, Kayleen continued to talk to her about Manny as she moved behind the tub, releasing Lena’s abundant head of hair.

  “I bet it feel good if you sink under to wash your hair…I’ll help you.”

  With Kayleen’s encouragement, Lena did so, going under to wet her hair, staying under a moment savoring the feeling of coming clean. With weeks and weeks spent aboard a ship, then traveling in a wagon with only a wash down now and then. Nothing felt as good as this. She came up and leaned forward so that Kayleen could take up the heavy mass to soap and lather.

  Kayleen was relaxed as well while talking and administering to Lena’s bath. “I remember the first time Morris lay eyes on Ms Royal. He come to the house after her sister Elizabeth. Oh and wasn’t she the uppity one…and as usual, Royal was the embarrassment of the family...running about bare foot, in and out of things like something wild. She was the middle child you see…the only red head of the bunch, with a temper to match. She detested Elizabeth sometimes, Grace too, the baby girl. Then she laid eyes on Morris, tall - strong, and striking a handsomeness she never seen before… especially his height, cause you see, Ms Royal was tall herself. Her sister’s were short and dainty while she was long limbed and rough - didn’t care though. Every time her daddy try to clean her up and match her with somebody…she beat’ the man up! But Morris - well, he was the one man that could handle her. Next thing I know - he set his heart for her, said he was coming here to this new land - and he needed a woman with fire in her soul, strong enough to endure it all. Her daddy settled him with a dowry, which I was a part of ‘cause we was so close, and here we ended up.” She finished pouring a bucket of rinse water over Lena as she stood in the waist bath. “One more and that should do it.” Another bucket went over her head rinsing the suds down her young caramel colored body. She then handed her a towel to wrap around her as she stepped from the tub. As Lena sat, Kayleen towel dried and combed her hair out which had a heavy curly wave to it - the short tufts surrounding her face curling in attractive ringlets of tawny silk. As Kayleen talked on, Lena took note of a velvety soft, turquoise gown laying on the bed, and matching kid slippers on the floor beneath it. She knew that wasn’t given to her to sleep in.